Pope Leo XIV arrived in Türkiye on Thursday for his first overseas journey after becoming head of the Catholic Church in May. The historic three-day visit aimed at strengthening interfaith dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation marks a significant moment in Türkiye-Vatican relations.
The two-staged trip, centered on the district of Iznik (ancient Nicaea) and Istanbul, emerges not only as a symbolic pilgrimage but also diplomatic move to deliver peace messages to the world from Türkiye.
Speaking to Daily Sabah, a professor at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Özcan Hıdır, described the pope’s visit as theo-political and stated: “The most important aim of the visit is not theological but rather theo-political. Accordingly, through his multifaceted diplomacy concerning both the Western and Islamic worlds, the pope wishes to deliver a message from Türkiye saying ‘We can cross the threshold of peace together,’ since Türkiye is one of the most crucial actors in resolving chaos-ridden areas such as the Gaza crisis, Syria and the Russia-Ukraine war.”
Welcomed by high-ranking Turkish off
Continue Reading on Daily Sabah
This preview shows approximately 15% of the article. Read the full story on the publisher's website to support quality journalism.